Other Projects

Making Ice Cream

Last spring, I discovered a recipe for Strawberry Ice Cream in one of my favorite cookbooks--a book called "Simply in Season," which offers assorted recipes based on seasonal fruits and vegetables.  I tried the recipe and was delighted by the results.  Ever since I have been making modifications to the original recipe based on seasonal ingredients and experimenting with my favorite flavors. 

Whipping cream whipped to soft peaks

So far I've tried six flavors: strawberry, peach, coffee, coffee oreo, pumpkin, and coconut chocolate chip.  I'm eager to try other flavors, like mango, cantaloupe, and perhaps apple cider.  I recently made a second batch of coconut chocolate chip upon request and thought I would share the secrets of ice cream sans ice cream maker here.

Ice cream in a 9x13-inch pan ready for the freezer

The original Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe is as follows:
2 c. whipping cream (whipped to soft peaks)
2-3 cups strawberries (mashed)
1 1/4 cups sweetened condensed milk
6 tbsps. sugar
1 cup cold water
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Chill all ingredients.  In mixing bowl, beat all ingredients together with an electric mixer.  Pour into a 9x13-inch pan and freeze until mushy, 3-4 hours.  Remove from freezer and return to mixing bowl.  Beat until smooth but not melted.  Return to pan and freeze another 3 hours.

Ice cream after frozen for 3-4 hours and mixed

This is my modified ingredient list for Coconut Chocolate Chip Ice Cream:
2 c. whipping cream (whipped to soft peaks)
shredded coconut (to taste)
1 1/4 c. cream of coconut1 cup cold water

6 tbsps. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla

chocolate chips (to taste)

Follow same instructions as for Strawberry Ice Cream.

Enjoy!

Any suggestions for new flavor experiments?

Featured Artist

Christina Brosnan
    Please welcome Christina Brosnan, this week's featured artist.  I came to know of Christina's work because she was the photographer for the wedding of my friends Jaime and Tom, in Adare Ireland.  When I saw the photographs that Christina had taken of the Adare wedding I was totally floored by beauty of her photographs, so much so that I decided to make a painting based on one of her photographs.  I was also surprised to find that Ms. Brosnan is originally from Chicago, my current home! 
    Christina Brosnan has been studying and practicing photography for 10 years.  She attended College of DuPage in Chicago and after graduating went on to study at Speos Photographic Institute in Paris.  She runs Brosnan Photographic, in Ireland, with her husband, Colin.  Christina loves photography and documenting people.

What is the most or some of the most interesting locations in which you've taken wedding photographs?
For me I find pleasure in photographing in new locations. The best locations I've worked in were Thailand and London. I was fortunate enough to photograph a friends wedding in Bangkok. The Thai traditions are so different from western traditions. I also recently photographed an engagement session in London. I love photographing in big cities. There is so much around you that makes for a great backdrop, such as a busy street with lots of people or a simple doorway. There is usually a lot more colour to be found in a city rather than a forest or park. But they can work equally as well especially in Autumn when the leaves are changing colours or during sunset with the warm glow.

Do you find yourself to be partial to photographs produced in a certain type of daylight (morning light, bright sunshine, overcast light, dusk light, etc)?
I've never been particular about the time of day I photograph. I think you can always capture a great photo whether it's sunny, cloudy, sunset or sunrise. If you always photograph at the same time of day in the same light conditions your photos will always look the same and every couple wants something a little different from the next so it's good to be able to photograph in any light condition. Having said that I generally try and avoid shooting midday in the sun. You can get some terrible shadows with the sun at it's highest.

I think one of the most striking things about your portrait photography is that you photograph people on location and not in a studio.  What do you find most interesting about photographing people in a location of their choosing?
It's the same as painting a picture. You don't paint a portrait of someone on a white background, you paint them in their environment. Putting people against a plain background seems stagnant. You can really create a masterpiece with shooting on location. You don't need to bring in props, everything around you is a prop. I really like to capture people being natural and there's nothing natural about putting them in front of a white background.

I really appreciate Christina sharing her work with us!  Be sure to check out the Brosnan Photographic website to see more of her photographs. 

What do you think of Christina's lovely photographs? 

Wedding Invitation

Spring Leaf Invitation

This invitation is a revision to a design created last spring, with thoughts of warmer weather, new life and delicate leaves.  I revisited this design recently modifying the colors, adding digital versions of the leaves to create contrast and using a darker background to offset the leaves.   

Spring and weddings seem to go together quite naturally .  So many couples wed in the spring.  In Chicago, where we experience long, cold winters, the first signs of spring are incredibly hopeful and for me elicit emotions such as elation and delight.  I love those first days of spring when Chicagoans wear shorts despite that fact the temperatures have only reached the high 60s, the sidewalks are jammed with people, and the trees are just beginning to show signs of life.  


What is the best thing about spring where you live?

Just Married!

Almost two months ago, I had the delight of attending the marriage of my friends Jaime and Tom.   They were married in Adare, Ireland's "prettiest village."  This image was captured by their photographer, the very talented Christiana Brosnan.  When I saw this picture, it immediately felt like it was meant to be painted--the subtle variations in color of the vintage car interior, the background out the windows of the car, and a wonderful shot of Jaime and Tom.  So, I made this painting for the couple--I hope they like it! 

Other Projects

Studio Makeover
The space that I use to make art is a cozy corner in the back sunroom of my Chicago apartment.  There are lots of windows (north and east facing) so the light isn't bad and I recently acquire a cabinet for storage of various supplies.  Until recently though, the area was also cluttered with various overflow items from the kitchen: coffee maker, reused plastic bags, paper towels, etc.  As I've been spending increased hours in the space painting, blogging, and designing invitations, I decided to give the space a makeover.

My primary goals were pretty straight forward:
1.  Improve organization: provide better access to the materials I use regularly, get as much clutter as possible off of my desk allow much needed free space for working.
2.  Create a space conducive to creative endeavors: provide opportunities to display sources of inspiration on a temporary basis, be intentional about the visual environment (hopefully one which will no longer include a recycling bin and a container for dirty towels!).  

My studio makeover is, of course, modest in nature.  I'm very happy with the results though.  I find that I'm generally happier and my stress levels stay lower, when I keep my personal spaces organized, with trinkets that remind me of good memories.

Check out this flickr group featuring other art studio makeovers.  


What are the best components of your work space?

Featured Artist

Cristina Jaco
Cristina Jaco was born in October 5th, 1976 in Goiânia-Goiás-Brazil. Graduated in Graphic Design in 2000, post graduated in Administration in 2004 and post graduated in Education in 2008.  She started drawing when she was a child and has never stopped. Since 1996 she has been working in web design.  And since 2010 she has been painting more seriously. Cristina intends to present her first art exhibition in 2011.

Auto-Retrato II, 35cmx25xcm, Aquarela, 2010

What inspires you about drawing and painting the human figure?

In fact it really doesn't matter if I'm painting the figure or a bird or an abstract composition. What inspires me are the color combinations, the line and the shapes. In the human figure we can find interesting shapes and all the elements are combined to form the image.

Retrato de Fazendeiro, 25cm x 35cm, aquarela papel montval, 2010 

You do a lot work with watercolor painting, what do you find to be the constraints and opportunities of the medium?

I've tried different techniques to produce my paintings. I've painted in oils, acrylics and I've drawn using pastel and other mediums, but watercolor was the most interesting challenge. I like the fluidity, the transparency and the drying speed of this medium. I also like the fact that it is on paper, I don't like canvas. Some people think because it is too fragile and water sensible it is difficult to master, but it really doesn't bother me. I believe I've found my medium and for the next paintings I'll explore watercolor combined to other materials, mixing drawing and painting, to produce some abstract pictures.

Galo de Campina I, 25cm x 35cm, aquarela papel montval, 2010

Who are some other Brazilian artists of note, who may not be familiar to readers is U.S.?

A great antique watercolorist was Debret, but I prefer the Cândido Portinari style, the strokes of Romero Britto and the shapes and textures of Tomie Ohtake.

Mankin, 50cm x 35cm, papel fabriano, 2010

More about Cristina in her own words:

I believe is is the artist's responsibility is to remain faithful to her vision and develop their skills in materials for which they chose to express themselves. It is about creating art that is believed, that her mind and soul cry out to create.

I make no distinction between representation and abstraction, and I'm not tied to any historical trend or tradition. I use various methods and processes to create my paintings. Sometimes the picture that I paint reflects reality more truthfully, sometimes I allow myself to paint freely without much concern with the real.

In the first half of 2010. I developed a series of works in watercolor, these paintings try to explore what attracts me most: the visual texture, the color contrasts, brightness, lightness, lines and well-defined shapes. I paint what pleases me aesthetically and try to express myself through these paintings. I see the world and give my point of view. Currently, I am in a phase of exploration of the material in conjunction with other techniques.

I like to paint common themes: people, animals, landscapes, still life and abstract compositions. I always try to observe the world around me to have more repertoire and push myself to work without losing vitality. My view is always changing and I keep looking for new

things to create.

For the next year, I will work on my first art exhibition!

Ave Pescando, 25cm x 18cm, aquarela papel montval, 2010

Thank you so much for sharing your work with us Cristina!  Be sure to visit Cristina's blog to see more of her work.

What do you think of Cristina's lovely paintings?

Wedding Invitation

GRAPPOLI D'UVA
I have long thought vineyards to be quite beautiful places.  One need look no further than the rolling hills of  Tuscany or the Napa Valley for reassurance that the settings for viticulture are nothing short of delightful.  In the fifth year of my architecture education, my first semester studio was focused on the design of a theoretical project for a cultural center to be located at the Barboursville Vineyards, a very beautiful vineyard locatedin Virginia.   

It is becoming common for couples to marry among the grapevines all over the U.S. and beyond.  I have designed this "grappoli d'uva" or grape bunches invitation to compliment these stunning celebrations.